The communities of Maam, Glinsk and Kilconly have received a major funding boost after Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D. announced an allocation of €420,404 to Galway County Council under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
The funding will facilitate the upgrade of walking trails at Glinsk Heritage Park, the construction of a car and bus park at Ionad Pobail an Mháma and the upgrade of the existing trail at Castlegrove Woods.
The ORIS scheme allocations were submitted earlier this year with the support of Galway County Council’s Community and Rural Development section.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive Galway County Council commented, “These projects are all about making our rural towns and villages great places to live, work, and raise a family. I want to thank the local communities who brought forward these proposals and worked with our staff in Rural and Community Development to develop applications for the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. I look forward to seeing these projects coming to fruition over the coming months.”
Jackie Carroll, Director of Services with Galway County Council said, “The three local projects in receipt of funding will help to breathe new life into their respective communities and we look forward to works getting underway in the coming months. The investment is being provided to Galway County Council under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.”
She continued, “The funding will benefit local communities with new or enhanced outdoor facilities while also helping to support local economies by continuing to offer domestic and international visitors an attractive and exciting array of outdoor amenities,” concluded Ms. Carroll.
“This investment announced today further underpins Galway County Council’s commitment to developing our outdoor amenities as part of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the national outdoor recreation strategy.
Glinsk Community Development Society has been allocated €200,000 to upgrade of 2km of existing trails at Glinsk Heritage Park. Works include the improvement of pathways and the surface of the parking area, as well as the creation of an attractive entrance with improved signage. The project will greatly improve accessibility at the park which is a popular stopping point on the Beara Breine Way and the Suck Valley Way and is near Glinsk Castle.
Coiste Forbartha an Mháma has been allocated €172,582 worth of funding for the construction of a car and bus park at Ionad Pobail an Mháma. The development will facilitate those seeking to walk the Western Way. The car and bus park also will provide proper and secure parking for a range of community and commercial outdoor recreation events held throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Castlegrove Woods Tales & Trails Group has been granted €47,820 to develop the existing trail at Castlegrove Woods. The project aims to develop both Castlegrove Woods and barracks as nature trails and historical trails with improved signage. Accessibility will be at the heart of the development, upgrading trails to make the surface even and suitable for walking, cycling and wheelchairs.
